To think we can't afford the triple lock

[paddleboardingmum]

Things seem very weighted against young people right now in terms of tax, student loans, and then there's the cost of mortgages and childcare. I know there are some older people struggling and I do feel sorry for them. But plenty are not and I think we just can't afford the triple lock at the moment. AIBU

Plus is it really the answer, various EU countries are struggling with the same issues.

Which would cause increased prices, taxes and inflation so we'd end up no better off.

It would never be a cure-all but still better in than out.

Loads didn't have it. We can't break the promise they would get a state one.

Yup, nailed it. Should be linked to average wage increases. When it was first introduced, there was a need to drag up the state pension to a more realistic level, but we've done that, so we need it just to keep pace with wage increases, no more, no less.

A "let's scupper pensions" post on Mumsnet is almost as fucking lazy as a "my MiL's a bitch" posts. Low hanging fruit that attracts ageists.

It's not about scuppering pensions. The point is, the triple lock should be scrapped and pensions only increased in line with wages, for example.

There are still people alive who fought & lived through World War 2.
Plus the difficult years that followed of rationing & rebuilding
Have some respect for your elders

I'd say respect is a two-way street. Anyhow the WW2 generation are dying out. I would be all for more benefits for that generation say the over 85s, to recognise their special contribution. State pensioners today were born in the 50s and 60s and weren't involved in WW2.

It's clear from this thread that plenty of pensioners accept they are doing okay in relation to everyone else. I know pensioners like this who say they and their friends are relatively well off and don't need free bus passes and prescriptions.

You need to apply for it. You could always decide not to?

So what exactly do you think the pensioners who have no money and no private pension, no property to sell, no way of working as too old /frail - should do exactly?

It is not just pensioners who have income split on savings/ salary like this. Many part time workers will have the same savings. Most savvy pensioners will have put their money into ISAs so when they draw down from them, they won’t pay any tax anyway.
@Badbadbunny
You seem to be intent on blaming pensioners for all the wrongs of the world and just assume it was so much better years ago. I have some sympathy, because I think some youngsters have it pretty tough now but it wasn’t a bed of roses when we were younger either.

What do you mean, leave the old folk alone? Do you really mean forever preserve the rate best of all worlds rate of increase, compounding and compounding? You make it sound like an over 67 year old tax surcharge is being proposed.

There are only 8,000 WW2 veterans still alive in the UK (of13 million pensioners).

But this is not the point. It's not about respecting elders or not. It's about being massively indebted and continuing to give more money (funded by borrowing) to the (on average) wealthiest section of society.

It doesnt. State pension is £12548 so where does the extra come from?

So what exactly do you think the pensioners who have no money and no private pension, no property to sell, no way of working as too old /frail - should do exactly?

I've already had to wait another 6 years for the pension I signed up to get at 60.

That's roughly £55,000 I have missed out on.

I'm not going to welcome any further cuts...

No, those born in the 60s are not yet pensioners. Those born in 1960 will be eligible for state pension next year. Those born in 1969 will have a further 9 years to wait.

I’m a ‘WASPI’ woman, got my state pension finally nearly 3 years ago, and actually had 50 years of contributions (and quite a few years where there were my 52 weeks of contributions AND 52 weeks of credits because I was in receipt of child benefit whilst also working full time). Many of my same age friends are in the same situation, all had over 40 years worth before getting their state pension.
I also have a work pension (but when I started work in a bank at age 16 I wasn’t allowed to join their pension scheme as I was a female! Males the same age did! So had a good few years head start on me.) and I pay tax.

What a track

Totally agree

In what way?

Claim pension credit and other benefits they are entitled to.

I mean. They should get something as they've paid in with NI. Perhaps a lump sum, but this Ponzi scheme can't last forever can it.

are they the wealthiest though?

Why don't we start with 8mn benefits recipients? only approx 35% of them are in any form of employment. Any means even a couple of hours a week.

Why don't we start with cash in hands traders who are also very likely to not declare their income and claim benefits.

Do you really believe that 12.5-13k pa is sufficient amount to live on? why NMW is twice more than?

This has all been rehashed countless times. I'm a remainer but I'm not going to go through all the reasons why on a thread that isn't even about Brexit.

This 1000%. I'm sick and tired of everyone wanting the most vulnerable in society to suffer. Society is not only comprised of the young.

But the benefit system is broken.